South coast families pick up pieces after devastating Masinenge fire
More than 40 families are picking the pieces after a fire ravaged their homes at an informal settlement in Masinenge in Margate.
It is believed a gas stove exploded, resulting in 25 shacks burning to the ground.
Some of those who lost their homes have been staying with neighbours while others have been trying to rebuild.
Ntuthuko Jomo Sibiya of the KZN Human Settlements Department says they are in the process of building them homes, but in the meantime have provided them with material to rebuild their structures.
He says, "The reality of that [is] we can't build them houses tomorrow or today or next week. Building houses is quite a lengthy process but we can't just allow them to sleep without the shelter.
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"At least, we said, let us bring the material to rebuild, so that least they've got shelter. We've brought a very inclusive package."
Social Development MEC Nonhlanhla Khoza says the residents have been provided with food and other necessities.
She's added, "We are going to dispatch our social workers to profile because there might be some children who might not be getting some grants along the way, if we don't do some correct profile. We are going to pull Home Affairs to work with Sassa [and] Social Development, as a team. The municipality will assist us."
